Inspiron 3452 Boot Configuration Data file issue

I purchased a Dell Inspiron 3452 as a Christmas gift for my girlfriend.
It turned out that the 32gb drive was not large enough to handle all of the Windows 10 updates.
I wiped the drive and installed Ubuntu, which worked perfect other than constantly dropping the WiFi connection.
We decided to go back to Windows 8.1, and scale it down.
Install is via a bootable USB, since there is no cd/dvd.
All BIOS setting are default, other than changing the boot order to USB first.

The install asks where do I want to install Windows?
The only option is:
Drive 1 Partition 1  29.1gb total, 29.0gb free, type: primary

The following message shows below the box:
Windows can't be installed on drive 1 partition 1. (Show details)

The details:
Windows cannot be installed to this disk.
This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk.
Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer BIOS menu.
(I do not see anything in the BIOS about enabling the disk controller)

Dell SupportAssist runs.
Service Tag:
ePSA: Build 4302.09 UEFI ROM
Your systems seems to be having trouble starting
Dell SupportAssist is scanning your hardware for a possible cause.

Scan results:
Hardware scan complete with no issues..
No bootable devices were found! Possible causes could be a corrupt OS image or a boot device is not enabled in BIOS setup.

After rebooting with the USB installer plugged in, I get a blue screen:
Recovery
Your PC needs to be repaired
The Boot Configuration Data file doesn't contain valid information for an operating system.
File:\Boot\BCD
0xc0000098
You'll need to use the recovery tools on your installation media.
(this screen will not go away unless I wipe the USB and reload with a different version...ie 32bit instead of 64,
and this results in a similar loop.

I did some googling on the error code. Instucted to insert USB with .iso,
click repair/trouble shoot/advanced options/command prompt and enter the following:

bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /ScanOs
bootrec /Rebuild Bcd

diskpart
sel disk O
list vol

This seems to have no effect, and I am stuck in an endless loop.

This 1 hour project has turned into 3 days of frustration.
Does anyone have a solution? Thanks!